Articles : Tutorials - Paper Crafting

Fido's Christmas Class

Fun gifts for pet lovers!

With the holidays just around the corner, we've whipped up a few fun gifts to make any pet lover smile.  We started with a plain tin. 

First of all, make sure your tin is clean.  Wash it up, dry it off.  Just a note, we’re not going to get into the actual paper cut sizes.  Everyone will have their own tin, their own sizes, so I’ll show you the not-so-technical way that I determine how big to cut my papers. 

Here’s my super technical way to measure the papers for your tin.   Place the papers where you plan to put them on your tin.  Snug them up to the end point, get them as accurate as possible and mark where you’d like to cut with a pencil.  Cut.   I suggest you cut all of you papers before beginning.  Once the Mod Podge comes out, it gets a bit hairy trying to cut things and keep the Mod Podge going.

Repeat this for every area you'd like to cover. 

Again, a highly technical way to go around connections and openings.  I place the paper over the connection and rub my fingernail around it so it makes an indent into your papers.  Then, I just cut around the indented piece.  The only hard part of this is making sure your papers don’t move and that they’re exactly where they’re going to be when it gets down to it.  You could adhere them with a temporary adhesive so you’re sure.  If you'd like a more precise cut,  cut the opening smaller than it should be and place your papers on the tin.  Then, use and exacto knife to trim around your connector. 

I ink all of my papers before I start and let them dry for a while.  Your ink may still smear a little when you apply the Mod Podge.  Don't panic.  The effect is not dramatic and just adds dimension to the piece.

Paint your can.  One coat or two, it’s up to you.  It doesn’t have to be perfect, most of it will be covered by paper.   You do want the parts where paper won’t cover to be well painted.  Don’t bother painting the part where the lid covers…it will only scratch off anyway and make it hard to get the lid on. 

This won’t work…it will leave a ridge.  Use long brush strokes and follow through until the MP ends seamlessly.  If you have a heavy spot, apply a little MP to your brush and brush back and forth over the spt until you've worked it out.  But, remember to move quickly.  The MP has to be tacky for the papers to stick. 

As you put your papers on you want to rub out any spots or bubbles you see.  If your Mod Podge is applied correctly, you shouldn’t have too many of these spots. 

Weird tip…if your hands are warm and you use the pads of your fingertips or the palm of your hand to kind of rub down the paper until it too is warm, you will minimize any bubbling.   Make sure you pay close attention to paper edges and seams. 

Once this is mostly dry (and you have no bubbles) apply a thin, even coat of MP over the top of your papers being sure to get seams, corners, and edges.

Wet, even coated Mod Podge...

After you've put on your top coat, if you notice some flaws, you can dip the tip of your finger in the MP and try to rub it out.  Then, you'll have to dip your brush again and work over the area so the strokes match the rest of your project. There may be small bubbles or tiny pockets of air after this.  Don’t panic.  Once the MP s fully dry, it shrinks the paper just enough to take care of these.  

Cut your tin label. I also cut a backing piece to make it pop.  Any additional layers should be placed seperately, using the same set of directions.   Apply stickers. 

Apply a thin, even layer of MP where you plan to place this piece.  Put your label over the new MP and rub it down, paying close attention to seams and edges.  Once nearly dry, MP over the top.  I did MP over these stickers.  If you want to wait to place your stickers, that will work too. 

Then, apply the bling/final embellishments.  Rhinestones and glitter lose their glitz if you MP over them, so put them on when all of the MP is done and dry. 

For the leash hanger…we started with a wooden piece.

Sand your piece as needed and make sure it’s free from dirt/dust.

Trace and cut out what papers you need for your leash holder.  (Don’t ink them yet!)

Paint your item and allow it to dry.

To cut the hole in your project, I put the papers over the pice as they would be when it's finished.  Then, I rub my scissor handle over it to create an impression.  I cut out this part with an exacto knife.

With these kinds of projects, you’re going to have some overhang.  Trim it with your scissors, or sand them down.  Sanding should be done in a downward swiping motion.  Do not make the upward motion, it will pull the papers up.  Then, ink the edges of your project, if you’d like.

Sand the edges.  You want to sand in a downward swiping motion.  An upward motion will pull up your papers.  Then, ink the edges of your project as desired. 

Once your ink is dry, apply the top coat of MP.  Again, no harsh starts and stops, just clean, thin strokes. 

Embellish as desired. 

Think of all of the uses for these “hangers”.  My girls have them for coats, bathrobes, and for the toys in their rooms that should be kept off the floor (Leapster, camera, and NintendoDS) 

And we’re off to our final item, the ornament.

Same rules apply. Trace and cut your papers, clean your project if needed, and paint. 

Sand and ink the edges and allow it to dry. 

Apply your top coat of MP following the previous tips.  Embellish as desired.  I highly recommend that you DON’T MP over the picture until you have a lot of MP experience.  It can be really tricky as the picture will reflect every stroke if it isn’t on exactly right. 

Embellish as desired.  I don't recommend that you MP over your photo, adhere with your scrappy glue of choice.  MP over the photo, unless done perfectly, shows every stroke. 

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me, Miranda (LoveMyBella) 

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About the author ...
Miranda has been a Creative Team Member at A Cherry On Top since January of 2005. She is well known for her obsession with ribbon, pink, flowers, and anything Doodlebug. She is a Contract Artist for Cantata Books and a Design Team member for Boxer Scrapbooks. She currently lives in Minneapolis, MN with her husband, Chris, and their two daughters, 6 year old Isabella and 3.5 year old Ava.

Published on 11/17/2008. Submitted by LoveMyBella